Denver Vs Atlanta: Who Owns The Bigger Airport?

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest airport in the US, covering 52.4 square miles or 135.69 square kilometres. It is also the second-largest airport in the world, behind King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia. In comparison, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the largest airport in the world by passenger traffic, with about 104 million passengers travelling through it each year. However, in terms of physical size, it is much smaller than DEN, covering only 4.8 square miles or 12.43 square kilometres.

Denver Airport is the largest in the US

Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the US and the second-largest in the world. It covers 52.4 square miles or 135.69 square kilometres, which is bigger than the island of Manhattan. Denver Airport is so big that it could accommodate another six runways in addition to the six it already has.

The airport is located about 25 miles from Downtown Denver and is an important hub for United Airlines and Frontier Airlines. It is also the focus city for Southwest Airlines.

Denver International Airport has one terminal, 179 gates, and the longest runway in North America. The runway is 16,000 feet long, or 4,880 metres, and is the seventh longest in the world.

The airport handled approximately 32 million passengers annually in 2020, making it the eighth busiest airport globally. However, in 2023, it became the third busiest airport in the US and the sixth busiest in the world, with 77.8 million passengers.

Denver International Airport has more than 5,300 miles of fibre optic cables and a fuel system capable of pumping 1,000 gallons of fuel per minute. The fuel is stored in six tanks, each holding 2.73 million gallons.

The airport's distinctive peaked roof design was inspired by the local landscape and the Rocky Mountains. The Jeppesen Terminal, named after the airport's code DEN or DIA, takes up 2.6 million square feet.

Atlanta Airport is the busiest in the US

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the US by passenger traffic. About 104 million passengers travel through the airport, about 20 million more than the second busiest airport in the US.

The airport's favourable geographic location makes it perfect as a connection hub. It serves 150 domestic and 70 international destinations. It is also a hub for Delta Airlines, and Delta passengers account for a high proportion of passenger traffic in Atlanta.

Despite the sheer number of people passing through its halls, the airport has been recognised as the most efficient airport in the world for 18 years in a row.

Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the US and North America by area. It is also the second-largest airport in the world, spanning 52.4 square miles. However, in terms of passenger traffic, it barely makes the top 20, ranking 18th worldwide.

Denver Airport has the longest runway in North America

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest airport in the US and North America by land area, spanning 135.69km² (52.4 square miles). It is also the second-largest airport in the world. Despite its size, it handled 77.8 million passengers in 2023, making it the third-busiest airport in the US and the sixth-busiest in the world.

The airport has six runways that are spaced 4,200 ft apart, and the 16,000 ft 16R/34L runway is the longest in North America available for public use. The runway is also the seventh longest in the world.

Denver Airport's long-term goals include growing from six runways to 12. The airport's long runways are a result of its elevation of 5,430 ft.

Atlanta Airport is Delta's primary hub

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is Delta's primary hub, and the airline's global headquarters. ATL is the busiest airport in the US by passenger traffic, with about 104 million passengers travelling through it each year. Delta accounts for a high proportion of this traffic, with more than 900 peak-day departures to over 200 global destinations.

Delta's presence at ATL is extensive, with nine Delta Sky Clubs throughout the hub, each offering premium food and beverage options. The airline has also invested in technology to streamline the airport journey, such as Digital ID, which allows customers to check bags and move through security without showing a physical government ID.

ATL is also undergoing a complete renovation, with new architectural additions and features throughout. Despite its size and traffic, ATL has been elected the most efficient airport in the world for 19 years in a row.

While Denver International Airport (DEN) is larger than ATL in terms of physical size, it is not Delta's primary hub. DEN is the largest airport in the US and the second-largest in the world by size, covering 137.26 km² (33,917 acres) and boasting the longest public-use runway in North America at 16,000 feet. However, in terms of passenger traffic, DEN is not one of the busiest airports in the US, ranking fifth in 2020 with 61 million passengers.

Denver Airport has space for 12 runways

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest airport in the US and North America by land area, covering 135.69km² (52.4 square miles) or 137.26km² (33,917 acres). To put this into perspective, the airport is bigger than San Francisco, Miami, and Manhattan. In fact, it's the second-largest airport in the world, only surpassed by King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia.

Despite its vast size, DEN only has six runways. However, there is enough land around the airport to accommodate another six runways. DEN's long-term goals include expanding to 12 runways, taking advantage of the ample space available. This expansion would significantly enhance the airport's capacity and efficiency, enabling it to handle even more aircraft movements and passenger traffic.

The existing runways at DEN are already quite impressive. Runway 16R/34L, for instance, boasts a length of 16,000 feet, making it the longest public-use runway in North America and the seventh-longest in the world. This massive runway, along with the airport's overall expansive layout, showcases the airport's commitment to accommodating large aircraft and managing air traffic efficiently.

DEN's large area and runway infrastructure contribute to its ability to serve numerous destinations. The airport offers nonstop services to 215 destinations, including both domestic and international locations. This extensive network solidifies DEN's position as a significant aviation hub in the United States and beyond.

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